We had ramen and Sashimi. Ramen had this strong broth smell, and pork in it was very limy. Sashimi was ok. Choice of fish in sashimi was not great. Both sashimi and ramen underwhelmed us. Chicken karage was good. read more

Super legit REAL Japanese food in Irving?! YAAAAS Just like my Grandma makes. They have all my favorites and then some. The concept is an Izakaya-style "small dish" type dining, but having said that, the servings are still generous (think bigger than tapas). Look out for their specials, which the waitress will detail for you. DO NOT MISS THE BEEF TATAKI SPECIAL!!!! It is INCREDIBLE!!! Fresh and so so tasty. This is my favorite Japanese spot I've been to since I moved to Texas. By far. Tables require a reservation (and take your shoes off!!!), but you can sit at the bar and eat anytime. Staff is great. Food is AWESOME!!! Did I mention that I LOVE this place?! read more

We came before it opened and stood in line. Something I highly recommend doing if you really want to try this place out! Once we were seated, the place was FULL. I'm not exaggerating when I say this but there weren't any seats left within minutes of them opening. We were seated at the bar style so the experience of taking off your shoes wasn't experienced. I think if you want to sit there, you need a bigger party. I was really excited to try because of the great reviews. It's really authentic. We got the karaage, the octopus balls, the half sized ramen and the curry, I think my expectations were really high but it didn't really hit the spot for me. Everything was a little on the bland side. The only thing I truly enjoyed was the karaage. It was decently sized chicken bites and was crispy on the outside! The octopus balls were interesting. There were flakes on top of the the balls making them move in the presence of heat. We got this because it looked so interesting to pass out. They are soaked in a sauce which made them flavorful but made me feel a little queasy thinking about it. If this is something down your alley, I would recommend it but I don't think I would order it if I ever come back. The ramen and curry were good but nothing too special about them. The service was good and it's a small little restaurant so you feel the cozy atmosphere. Check the times before you come and be aware of a wait if you don't come before they open! The prices were pretty decent as well. Overall I had a good experience but I'm not sure of it is a place I would return on the regular. read more

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Truly amazing food and an equally amazing experience. I believe you'll enjoy the cuisine here more if you are open-minded and not afraid of trying new things. However, even if you're with picky eaters or those who don't like seafood, there are still amazing dishes to try so there's no excuse! DEFINITELY call several days beforehand to make a reservation or you'll be waiting all night for a table, as there are only 4 tables that can seat up to 6 people and a handful of bar seating. On to my personal highlights (just to give you some idea/suggestions because I really don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu)... For the more "adventurous": -Deep fried squid legs -Takoyaki -Chef's special (fresh sashimi of the day): this is what will rack up your bill, but it's worth it treating yourself to. I haven't had fresh sashimi like this since the last time I was in Asia. And for the "basics" (but just as tasty and highly recommended!!): -mini beef bowl: Most of the dishes are small and meant to be shared, but this entree is so delicious but will fill you up. AND it's so cheap so it's a win-win-win. -karaage (crispy fried chicken): even your most Americanized friends will agree this is the bomb.com Service is awesome, and they're always ready to take your order(s) whenever you raise your hand for them. And they never let your table get cluttered/messy. The area is kind of sketchy at night but inside is so warm and inviting, so just know the food and experience are every bit worth it! read more

I love this place! Everything I have tasted is fresh, not over done, and always delicious. You have two seating arrangements, which is either the bar area or the floor. The tables give you the experience as if you were in Japan, you sit on these little pillows on the floor too. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and one I would like to try out again! read more

Love this place! Very authentic, very reasonably priced, and hole in the wall type of place. It gets packed quickly so I recommend getting there really early or making reservations. We always order the Tatsuya Ramen, which only comes in a half size order. But don't worry, it is perfectly portioned! Delicious, and gives you room to try other things on the menu. They always have new specials with new fish that they bring in. So far, we've tried their special for the day each time we've gone and it's never ceased to appease our pallets! One of my favorites is the Miso Grilled Salmon. It is perfectly cooked, char-grilled until it flakes off moist pieces of salmon! Try it, you won't regret it! read more

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The soup broth is really thick. I ordered the half size ramen soup and its so yummy. I recommend everyone should try the fried squid when they come here. Its amazing!!! I had the kobe beef, rice sandwich, takoyaki, half size noodle soup and finished all of them Definitely will come back soon read more

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This place brought back memories of living in Japan as a kid. The exterior is deceiving, but once you walk through that door it's like transporting yourself to a whole new world...well, to Japan anyway. I wanted Japanese-style curry badly and Mr. Max did not disappoint. read more

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The best food in all of Dallas! Everything I've tried here is beyond delicious. One waitress comes off as a bit pushy The only other complaint I have here is that the takoyaki is not prepared fresh, though it is still delicious. We would like to try some authentic fresh takoyaki at least once in our life time but unfortunately every restaurant fries pre packaged frozen ones. read more

I was delighted when I looked at the menu and found a bunch of items I haven't seen on any of the menus of the many japanese places I've been to (mostly in CA). and with the open kitchen, I could see the head chef is Japanese. But I got too excited. It had been 8 years since I tried nato (fermented soybean) - the #1 item on my list of Foods That Will Never Contact My Tastebuds Again. Yet something possessed me to order the Ikanatto (squid and fermented soybean). Yup, nato is still banned. The izakaya is not the fusion style I've tried before, so it was cool to try something more authentic. They also have ramen on the menu. Can NOT find good ramen in DFW. Will come back to try it. read more

This place is the best wish it was easier to get a table they are always so busy.

The food was amazing!! And the interior was nice! Don't judge it by the exterior it's a real diamond in the rough.

Probably our favorite restaurant in Dallas (not that we know that many there). This place is as authentic Japanese as it gets. Once you walk in you feel like you walked straight into Japan and forget you are in Dallas for awhile. The food is always great, love the grilled fish, and grill fish jaw, the sashimi, even the donburi, ramen etc we have all tried and all good. However, if you do not know Japanese (which we don't) you are definitely missing out on the specials, as they do not have it in English, and if you ask them what it is, with the language barrier, you would only know if it is a seafood dish, or beef or chicken.... They also have a kareoke bar, although we did have it go one time (as my friend was really drunk that night), but we felt our enthusiasm were not met by the owners ... maybe we were the only non-Japanese customers there that night? We also saw the owner smoking one time behind the counter, although he was not handling food at the time and was chatting away with a Japanese customer, but it was still odd. But the food was so good and I do live with a smoker anyway, so that did not bother me. All in all it is still our fav place, and I am sure we would enjoy it even more if we were Japanese, hence the 4 stars. read more

I was looking for somewhere new to go, somewhere unusual. A friend recommended Mr. Max in Irving. I asked them which Irving, north or south? When they said Belt Line down by the Irving mall I was immediately turned off. Though I realized that years ago this area was not as bad as it is now, and something good could definitely be hidden away in there. Turns out, there is something hidden. It's called Mr. Max. Prepare to be transported to one of the most Japanese places in North Texas. It's not in the nicest of buildings, so don't expect something like Tei Tei; but the inside is so warm, it's like being in a Japanese home kitchen that has been extrapolated to about 10 times it's size (still very small). There isn't much space, but that certainly doesn't bother me. The specials are outrageously cheap for how fresh the fish is. A hefty sardine cautiously prepared over an open flame for a measly $10? Also the Hokke (homemade dried mackerel) is less than $8. Both of these items are amazing. You have to appreciate fish to like those kind of specials; if you don't there is plenty on the menu to keep you satiated. The ramen is quite good, and the omelet is so expertly cooked that it's simply amazing. I can't say enough good things about this place! read more

First, let me say I unfortunately did not have the privilege of eating here when the previous owner Mr. Max was alive despite my desire to come. Because of that, I can't tell you how it compares to it's former glory, but now that it's owned and operated by Monta Ramen from Las Vegas, I can tell you how it is were you to try it now. (Additionally I am not Japanese so as to how authentic or comparable it is to homemade Japanese food I cannot say more so than in comparison to what I have experienced while in Japan and such.) Warning, this place is SMALL. It's a hole in the wall filled with authentic Japanese comfort foods. I do not suggest large parties because you will probably be waiting forever unless you RSVP'd days beforehand. Even then, there is very little room for at most one large party. Roughly 4 or so tables (which have the lowered ground so your feet "dangle" below the table) that can fit 4 per and then a bar with maybe 8-10 seats? That's basically it. Needless to say, I have opted to just make a reservation every time I decide to come at least one day beforehand. For the most as long as your party isn't large you'll get in, but if you try to walk in you may have a wait especially for a table and not the bar. Reservations are not required but I would recommend it. There are plenty of menu items and most of them are not geared towards an American crowd. What I mean is that lots are Japanese food that's not internationally known/popular (like sushi or ramen). Oden, beef intestines, squid guts, etc; all of these are worth attempting though of course be warned as they can be very unique to their flavor. With all that being said, I love this place. If you've ever wanted to hear people speak Japanese, come here. My first visit (within the first two months of them reopening) had me and my boyfriend and maybe one other person as the only people not speaking Japanese there. Seriously the most amount of Japanese-speaking people I've ever seen gathered together in DFW. Their servers (so far) are bilingual with Japanese and English, so even if you don't know Japanese don't worry, they have an English menu now and English-speaking servers. As for a breakdown of food I've had so far (in no real apparent order): 1. Tonkotsu ramen: honestly, my favorite ramen in DFW is here. While the second time I came the broth wasn't as up to par as my first, it's still so far been my favorite, egg and chasu included. Hands down would come here over Hakata, Robata, Maru, Yama, etc. (I haven't been able to go to Ten, but I don't recall liking Tei-An's ramen all that much.) 2. Taiwanese ramen: If you know what ma po tofu is, the meat that sometimes comes with it (ground pork or beef) is what's included in this. It's spicy, so be warned, and nothing like tonkotsu. It's still good, but definitely different. 3. Mentai cucumber: It's simple but I like it. Kind of a small appetizer type and nothing mind blowing. I liked it but you do get the feeling you could make this yourself fairly easily. 4. Beer pickled radish: Also really good albeit small portion, but it's fairly pickled so if you don't like pickled/sour food don't get it. 5. Karaage: Aka fried chicken. So good! Loved it, lightly fried on the outside with juicy chicken on the inside. It's nothing like American fried chicken fyi. (The fried tuna has the same fried outside but is still a bit more raw on the inside.) 6. salted squid/pan fried squid guts: they are different items I think but because of their similarities I bundled them. Salted ones have a different color and sauce to them while the guts are black in color but still quite salty. Only if you feel adventurous would I recommend. The texture is slimy but chewy. 7. grilled atka mackerel: I'm not sure how different it is from normal mackerel but it's great! However as it's a small fish, there are small bones so you will have to be weary of that when eating it. 8. Eggplant nibitashi: I actually did not eat this but my friend ordered it and it was quite a large serving. He liked it a lot though he did require a bowl of rice to finish it eventually. 9. Sashimi: The assorted kind only comes with 1 piece of different fish at least for the 3 or 5 piece order, and while it will include Salmon and Tuna it does also come with some less common fish I believe. It's fairly fresh but again, I would not come here to eat sashimi or sushi (mostly because I can get those decently elsewhere as opposed to most of the rest of the menu). 10. Motsu-Ni Bowl: This is beef intestines over rice. Texture is a bit soft and it doesn't taste bad but it isn't something I would get again. Again, I would recommend this place if you're looking for some authentic Japanese comfort food not typical of most Japanese restaurants. I will definitely be back, probably sometime soon. read more

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Of course having read reviews and hearing of the legacy of Mr. Maxx, my girlfriend and I had to stop by. We braved rush hour traffic and arrived when they opened at 5p and was surprised that there were already small groups of people seated. Yes the area around the restaurant is a little seedy, but the interior takes you away to another place. The low tables, floor seating, and sushi bar with darker lighting reminded me of a Japanese izakaya; a Japanese Gastropub-type setting. The best part: no line, we were seated right away. The staff were all incredibly helpful, polite, and were constantly attentive throughout our meal. In terms of the food, everything was great. We ordered the assorted sashimi, tako yaki, grilled beef tongue, curry, and tonkatsu ramen. When the waitress asked if we liked the food served in courses or whenever they were ready, we naively chose the latter and was soon overwhelmed with food as it all came out very quickly. Note to self, next time have it come out in courses. To start, the tako yaki came out steaming hot, topped with a good amount of bonito flakes, just how we like. They were nice and creamy, and the sauces and toppings melded perfectly, but they lacked a substantial amount of octopus as we had previously experienced in other places. The curry was very flavorful and mildly sweet with a large portion with rice. The tonkatsu ramen broth had strong savory flavors of pork and hints of onion, garlic, and cream that imprinted an image of careful brewing over a long period of time while still having a light and airy taste. The sashimi was satisfactory, but not the best. The salmon was so so, but the tuna and mackerel made up for it. The beef tongue came out fresh off the grill. You could taste the mildly sweet and savory seasoning, reminiscent of light teriyaki and sesame. The meat had a rough and grilled texture but was rather tender. Overall, Mr. Maxx delivered an experience suited for their decor. They offered filling and flavorful Japanese home-style food that was both hearty, yet not overdone with a heavy-handed approach. While the tako yaki and sashimi were not perfect, the other items and service overshadow their faults. Even so, while Mr. Maxx offered homey and hearty food, the prices were a little inflated; it's safe to assume that it won't deter anyone really interested in the food, but it is a point. I would definitely recommend giving Mr. Maxx a try during your food tour across Dallas as it is a staple among other Japanese grill restaurants in the area. I will definitely be returning with hopes of trying more from their grill and kitchen. They are for sure a candidate for a rare, Mike L. 5/5 review! read more

Mr Max - The sashimi plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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All I gotta say is that this place is my shit. Service is great and Definitely get the sashimi. read more

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I think the foods are so good. Yes, waiting is expected but it is totally worth it. The restaurant is very small, limited spaces. Dont come hungry and become cranky LOL! We have 5 kinds sashimi: so GOOD!!!, takoyoki very fresh, tasty and must try. We also had beef tongues, eel omelette. Spicy garlic ramen, beef skewers, grilled fish, everything is tasty. I also had a peach chuhai (alcohol ) is yummy. Customer services is very good. Staff is attentive, friendly, knowledgeable. I will definitely come back next time I am in Dallas. read more

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Haven't been to any actual Japenese restaurants before, but the Age-Shumai and Yaki Sobi I had here was excellent! And the Red Bean ice cream is very nice end to a great meal.... read more

Amazing food. Everything we had was outstanding. Really loved the beef tongue and salmon belly. Taiwan Beef Ramen was also great. read more

Mr Max - Broth in the tonkatsu ramen was outstanding. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

You're going to be hard pressed to find a better Japanese place in the DFW area. It looks like a dive, but inside it's quaint. You can't go wrong with practically anything on the menu, and my personal favorite is the yakiniku beef combo set. Personally, I like Sushi Robata better for appetizers, but this is the place to go for authentic food. read more

It has been a while after Mr.Max closed down, but new Mr. Max interior looks clean and nice:) Mr.max sandwich with Chashu was very good. Unfortunately donkatsu ramen was sold out when I went there, but Shoyu ramen was pretty good as well. Lastly, people who works there all are nice! read more

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I heard about Mr. Max from a friend's mom who is from Japan about 4 years ago. She said this place was the closest thing you can get to authentic Japanese food. I first came here a few years ago when Mr. Max ran the restaurant. The only things I've had since he ran the restaurant were the korokke and shoyu ramen which were amazing. It was amazing seeing him work in the open kitchen. As I returned since their reopening, things have changed. Just the entire vibe and menu seems to have changed. Our party reserved for a group dinner and we were immediately seated for our time slot with no problem. We had their grilled beef tongue, sashimi platter, fried squid, takoyaki, shoyu ramen, kobe beef, and karaage, which were all very delicious. Everything was perfect and I couldn't find one flaw. Definitely a must for Japanese food. read more

The only thing bad about this place was that we couldn't finish all the food! The exterior and area could be a bit questionable, but inside this is a small family run restaurant serves incredible food in a unique atmosphere. The interior looks similar to izakaya's on the west coast. Portions were big and we ended up bringing home some wonderful ramen and a few pieces of thinly sliced steak teriyaki! Do not visit here if you are looking for a sushi joint, the menu is limited and mostly offered as sashimi, there are plenty of places nearby to satisfy that craving. Additionally as few others have mentioned, it is a hole in the wall, avoid this place if you are a diner that is looking for a restaurant with great aesthetics and a restaurant that is clean enough to eat off the floors. This is well worth a visit, especially for the adventurous eater that is not afraid to try the menu items that are only in Japanese. read more

I was so excited to know that Mr. Max has reopened. I heard that they have undergone new management so I was afraid the quality of the food has gone down but it certainly has not! This restaurant, imo, has the best ramen in the Dallas area!! Everything else on the menu is amazing and tastes very authentic. Definitely make a reservation if you decide to eat here on the weekend or there may be a wait. Can't wait to go back to Mr. Max!! read more

Mr Max - Grilled squid, tonkotsu ramen (half-size), agedashi tofu and takoyaki = delish!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

I want to come here again!! I can't believe I've never been here!! Last time I came here I didn't eat because it was a long wait. Plus I didn't rsvp so it made a huge difference. The second time I made a reservation and made sure I eat here. The drive was a bit far but the food covered it up. The location is on Beltline next to Shell gas station.. The restaurant can be missed so keep your eyes opened. I came here with my friends and we ordered grilled squid,takoyaki, homemade curry, curry tonkatsu and tonkatsu ramyun. The grilled squid was really good!! The squid was seasoned and cooked to tender. The takoyaki was excellent as well! The center is pretty hot but the outside is crispy. The homemade curry is what I ate and I won't forget the taste. I've had Japanese curry before but there curry is the best so far! Curry can sometimes leave a bad after taste but the curry I had here didn't. It had lots of vegetables and came with rice. I highly recommend curry lovers to their curry. I did try a spoonful of the ramyun and the noodles were chewy in a good way. My friends enjoyed their meal and want to come back. The floor seating was interesting and didn't bother me much. read more

I can't say this place is authentic, because I have never lived in Japan. I've only been here once, I got the Ramen $8.50 and the potato croquettes. I've had better ramen in Hawaii for $5 and the portion there was much bigger. But oh man did this place hit the spot. This place is small, cozy, quaint and has super friendly service. There are 4 tables to sit at and you have to take your shoes off to sit there. Then there are a few seating options at the bar area. Prices are comparable to most of the white folks hip places. This place is all about dishes. The closest thing to sushi is a few sashimi options. For the non Japanese speaking or reading folks like me, we get a menu in English, for the others the menu is all over the wall in Japanese. You can do karaoke as well. The entire staff was Japanese. Seemed like a family operation. Make sure to have one of them translate the daily specials for you. I will def be back. Btw hours are 6pm to 2am Mon-Sat. read more

This is a rare Japanese restaurant in Dallas that is Japanese own and ran. The menu covers the basic dishes and with what I feel, an emphasize on donburi, or japanese rice bowl dishes. The decor is not the most attractive compare to the up and coming restaurants/lounges in Dallas that serves Japanese fusion but the flavor is definately what brings me back to this place. If you are the guy that only order california roll at a sushi bar or just looking for a hip joint to impress your date with some quasi-sushi with a cool name then this is not for you. If you are someone that crave comforting and authentic Japanese food, this is among the top choices in Dallas. Come here after work, order drinks with their kaki-fried and your favorite oden. If you want an entree, definately try their katsudon and I am sure your stomach will bring you back here again. read more

Hubby & I were in the mood for ramen & we didn't feel like driving all the way to Sushi Robata, so we decided to give this place a try. All the reviews are true. It's a hole in the wall place and there are kitty cats trying to sneak in. They're cute, but it did alarm me when I read that in reviews. How clean can a place be if cats are running in and out all the time. But they don't actually get in, at least not to my knowledge. This place is extremely small. They can seat 3 tables of 4-8, and about 8 people at the bar. They make you take off your shoes to sit at the table. Very authentic place. Not the cleanest place either. I don't think they've done any updating (painting or carpet or ceiling tiles) or anything since they opened their doors. Asians have the tendency to not change a thing even if they're really successful. The ramen is delicious. Just what you need on a semi-cold night. Although I do prefer Sushi Robata because they have the Tonkatsu ramen, this place is pretty yummy. The Cashumen (shoya ramen with pork) was scrumptious! Hubby & I each got a bowl. They give you 3 slices of pork and half an egg. Pretty similar to other ramen places. Of course I always wish there was more meat. We also got the grilled yellow tail collar as an appetizer. It's pretty good. They forgot to give us the lemon so the fish taste/smell was a little too much for me. But I'm not really a fish person. Hubby loved it though. He said it was on par with Sushi Robata's. Hubby was pretty disappointed that they didn't serve any sushi. They didn't serve sashimi tonight either for some reason. Not sure if I would trust their sashimi anyways. They're not really known for serving sushi or sashimi, so I would stick with their cooked items. Just to be safe. Hubby was particularly hungry tonight, and he saw them make a scrambled egg & beef over rice dish(tanindon?) for another table, so he decided to order that too. It looked and smelled delicious, but I was so stuffed from the ramen & fish that I couldn't take another bite. Wasn't sure if the eggs were runny or it just looked that way because of the sauce they simmered the beef in, but I didn't want to chance it either. I don't like runny eggs. We'll be back despite the uncleanliness. read more

First off, wear shoes you can easily take off because if your sitting at a table you take your shoes off before sitting. The food is amazing, we had the miso ramen, fried octopus legs, friend oysters, yellow tail and octopus shashimi, Kobe beef skewers, shoyu ramen and much much more. Best: yellowtail shashimi and ramen (bonus points for coming in half bowls!!). Worst: the tofu (it's unusually bland). The place is pretty small so not great for large groups and the wait can be pretty long. It's super loud in there but it's a great experience for just enjoying the food! read more

We had a layover in Dallas so we stopped by this little gem. We ordered salmon rice sandwich, vegetable tempura and the Atka mackerel. Holy mackerel, it was delicious! Highly recommended. Exceptional customer service! read more

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This is one exception to the rule to 'everything is bigger in Texas'. One thing about authentic Japanese restaurants is that they pay attention to quality and not quantity. The place is a 'hole in the wall' and sometimes there are a decent number of people eating here. I usually order take out but have eaten here once. The portions aren't very big, and sometimes I feel hungry after my meal. That said, the food is pretty good. It doesn't compare to Tokyo, but how many restaurants do?! I've ordered donburi, beef combo plates, and udon. The udon was kinda salty. They don't give you enough beef with the other meals. This is much more authentic then some of the other 'sushi' places out in the Dallas area. For a glimpse of eating in Japan, I would say this is a good choice. Prices are reasonable. read more

They use real wasabi root...need I say more? Mr. Max, I wish you were in Houston! I was on a business trip this week and visited Mr. Max twice in 3 days. Mr. Max is ran by an uber cute Japanese couple. They were friendly and there to take excellent care of their customers. There is no sushi menu or wide selection of sashimi, but I felt like I was eating a home cooked meal. They have a Japanese only weekly menu. The fact that the staff and the owner attempted to explain each and every item on the menu to me was above and beyond. See you next time Mr. Max! read more

Delicious, delicious food coupled with great company. I was simply amazed with the speed of service and quality of food. If you're looking for sushi, this is not the place to get it. Mr. Max is all about Japanese food, the fare outside of our traditional notions of what that entails (sashimi and California rolls, anyone?). We got the karasge and tonkatsu ramen, as well as the shoyu ramen and potato dumplings. Everything was so, so good. The ramen was actually the best ramen I've had in Dallas, and the potato dumplings were so unique. They had the consistency of gnocchi, almost, but the entire experience is difficult to describe. That being said, everyone must go to Mr. Max at least once if you live in the DFW area. The service was fast as well, and our water was being constantly refilled. However, the only downside to Mr. Max is the crowded interior. Although the setup is unique (Japanese style), there is not enough space to accommodate large groups. Indeed, each table is situated right next to the other, making the entire atmosphere feel crowded. The ventilation also isn't great, making the entire restaurant smell like fried, fried, fried. Although there is no official website for this place, you can make reservations by calling ahead of time. read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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If you want to authentic Japanese food, you're at the right place. The location is hard to find, especially since the restraunt doesn't even look like a dining place from the outside. But once you find the door you're Welcomed into a world full of awesome food. The staff is super friendly!! The chefs were great and were fun to watch while I sat at the bar/counter. I wanted to try the katsu curry but couldn't find it on the menu, but the staff ended up making it for me anyways! The food was great. The katsu was perfectly crispy. Definitely the best katsu I've had in the Dallas area. Yes, the portions are small. Frankly, I was surprised since I thought the portions would be bigger, but the flavor makes up for it. The plates are more like snack plates so you definitely won't get super full after eating here, but you'll leave satisfied if you order a couple of things. This is definitely a hidden gem so please come here and make this place known!! read more

We had to wait for 30 minutes for our table. Couldn't make a reservation because we were a party of two. I wish they had ramen in chicken broth with chicken meat instead of pork. But i still love this place and the food is delicious!! Yummm! read more

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Mr. Max takes care that you are given quality service as well as great food. The environment is clean/welcoming and the servers are so polite. Presentation of the dishes we received were great and the quality of the food we ordered was very consistent and top notch. Definitely a mix of new age/traditional Japanese food. If it weren't so far for me, I'd be coming here very often haha. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for exceptionally presented Japanese food! read more

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This is a little hole in the wall hidden gem!! My husband and I and our kids love this place!!! We always make sure to call a day ahead to make reservations bc they're always busy and the place is small. The food is so good! We usually get karaage, mentai cucumbers, pan fried squid in guts sauce(ugh love this!), grilled mackerel(loveee this!) with rice. Then we finish off with tonkatsu ramen which keeps tasting better everytime We go lol the broth is really creamy which we love and chashu is so tender and we love that they come in half size bowls so we can eat all the other goodies beforehand! My son likes the tonkatsu also but sometimes he'll order the Taiwan noodles which is pretty spicy but he loves it! My 3 year old daughter loves their udon and grilled mackerel! The food is priced very well to make it so affordable! Service is good! Love coming here! read more

My favorite Japanese restaurant! First time ate there with our friends from Austin, and everyone loved it including kids. Awesome authentic Japanese food, great service with Japanese style seating. read more

Very authentic Japanese food served by Japanese cooks and waiters. They have nice deals and it's worth it. The portions are smaller than most other places, but the food is tasty. Not the best Japanese food, but it is indeed worth the trek here The coolest thing about this spot is the seating where they have the low tables where you take off your shoes and share portions. Great for a different type of setting that makes you feel like you're in Japan or at least a place with a higher population of Japanese read more